BMWs are among the most expensive vehicles to maintain, that is a truth.
Since BMWs are highly engineered automobiles with an emphasis on performance rather than durability, this is not surprising.
In This Article...
FAQ: BMW Repair Prices
Yes, BMW servicing is more expensive than many other manufacturers, whether they are premium or not, once the warranty expires. Over a ten-year period, a BMW may cost $12,000 more to maintain than a Toyota and $5,000 more than a Mercedes-Benz.
Because it’s a German car with specialized parts and technology, maintaining a BMW is pricey. It’s not merely a car to get people from point A to point B; it was designed for driving aficionados. A $400 battery replacement, for instance, might be necessary because the mechanic must register the battery with the engine control module. If not, the battery risk of an early demise since the vehicle won’t “know” how to charge it.
Additionally, the Digital Motor Electronics (DME) system in cars connects countless sensors and controls. A BMW may require a sophisticated method for a simple repair on another vehicle, which increases labor expenses.
Yes, a 3-Series BMW requires pricey maintenance once the manufacturer or certified pre-owned warranty has expired. A used BMW 3-Series typically costs $1,000 to $1,700 per year in maintenance and repairs.
A BMW 328i oil change can cost between $149 and $174, according to RepairPal. Nevertheless, depending on your area and BMW model, you can pay more than that.
BMW Z4
One of the least expensive BMW vehicles to maintain is the Z4. According to Repairpal, Z4 owners spend about $895 on routine maintenance and unanticipated repairs on their cars each year, which is a little more than the $801 average annual maintenance expenditure for luxury compact cars. On the other hand, according to Your Mechanic, the typical cost to repair a Z4 is expected to be between $95 and $4,567.
The Z4 doesn’t do so well when it comes to reliability. The Z4 is rated as 3.0 out of 5 reliable by Repairpal, placing it 14th out of a total of 17 luxury compact automobiles. The BMW Z4 is likely to visit a repair facility 0.7 times on average every year, with a 16% risk that the needed repair would be major.
According to Car Edge’s analysis of 10 years’ worth of maintenance and repair expenses, a BMW Z4’s initial ten years of operation would incur maintenance and repair expenses of about $13,999. Additionally, a significant repair is possible with a 41.61% chance within this period. After three years of ownership, the average annual expenditures and likelihood of major repairs both significantly rise.
For 2017 and later model years, BMW provides a free three year or 36,000 mile maintenance plan; it is known as the BMW ultimate care. It covers every element of fundamental maintenance. Ultimate Care+ can be added as a program upgrade for $600. Additionally, owners can choose the Ultimate Care+ 1, 2, 3, and 4 maintenance program for a fee ranging from $949 to $3, 599.
Unplanned repairs significantly increase the expense of any vehicle’s overall upkeep. Over time, the most frequent issues that BMW Z4 owners have encountered include coolant leaks from the water pump, coolant leaks from the radiator, check engine light on, engine rattling, engine overheating, failure of the front control arm bracket, and more.
Let’s examine the average price of the typical Z4 repairs, according to Repairpal:
Insurance, depreciation, and fuel expenditures are further significant factors that have an impact on a vehicle’s ownership costs.
Depending on your region, the age of the car, and the insurance company you select, annual insurance prices for a BMW Z4 can range from as little as $753 to as much as $1,826. Let’s take a look at the top insurance companies’ most affordable typical 12-month insurance prices for a 2020 BMW Z4.
- 753 $ for Allied
- $1,192 nationwide
- $1,389 for Tennessee farmers
- United States Family – $1,474
- $1,515 Vermont Mutual
- Modern era: $1,536
- $1,539 for Mercury
- Owners of cars: $1,612
- $1,697 State Farm
- Erie – $1,773
- $1,797 Plymouth Rock Insurance
- Nation – $1,826
The BMW Z4 loses a lot of value when it comes to depreciation. After five years of ownership, a BMW Z4 will depreciate by an average of 57%, according to Car Edge. Consequently, it lost roughly $34,000 in value.
Prices as of right now range from $6,000 to $15,000.
One of BMW’s most innovative chassis, the E9X, is still used on almost all of the world’s roadways today. Even though the original models are already fourteen years old, the E90’s style is still strong and integrates astonishingly well with contemporary automobiles. Even though the M3 is the top-of-the-line E9X chassis type, costs for those still start in the mid-$20,000 level. However, you can modify a 335i to be virtually as capable for a small portion of that price.
The E90 sedan, E92 coupe, and E93 convertible are the three separate 335i models that were sold in the US. Sadly, the E91 wagon was never delivered to the United States. Depending on your preferred body style, all three models are practically same when it comes to purchasing.
Depending on who you ask, the BMW 335i may or may not be a dream car to buy and highly dependable. It came with a BMW N54 twin-turbo engine up to 2009. The N54 had forged internals, robust turbochargers, and 300 horsepower when it left the factory. Unfortunately, early N54 models were notorious for having expensive fuel injectors that required frequent repair as well as high-pressure fuel pump and turbocharger failures. The N54, on the other hand, offered a ton of tuneability; for a few thousand dollars, you can become “full bolt-on” (FBO) and generate 400whp using pump gas. For those keeping track, the same M3 with the S65 engine from BMW has about 50 horsepower less to the wheels.
In 2009, BMW released the LCI facelift if you’re the type of person who would prefer reliability to overall power. You received new style in addition to the N54 being replaced by the N55. The N55 has a single twin-scroll turbo instead of the N54’s twin-turbos. This device was far more dependable and had almost no turbo lag at all. Utilizing less expensive fuel injectors was an additional bonus. The N55 has the drawback of having less power to obtain through modification. The N54 needs the addition of E85 gasoline or methanol injection to obtain its 400whp rating.
Which engine to choose fully depends on your preferences and car-related goals. No matter which option you choose, we always advise purchasing a vehicle that has recently had the major components replaced as well as all routine maintenance. To avoid expensive repairs, look for vehicles that have had their carbon cleaned, fuel injectors updated, and high-pressure fuel pumps replaced. The 6-speed automatic transmission is the one feature that easily dates this car the most, thus we advise avoiding it and sticking with the 6-speed manual.
BMWs are expensive to maintain.
BMWs are by far the most expensive car manufacturer to repair, claims Your Mechanic. The competition is not even close. With an average maintenance cost of $17,800 over ten years, BMW comes in #1. Mercedes-Benz came in second with an average maintenance cost of $12,900 during a 10-year period. In contrast, the typical Toyota only cost $5,500 to maintain during a 10-year period because they are recognized for requiring less maintenance.
According to Your Mechanic, such high maintenance costs are usual in German premium vehicles. Audi comes in sixth with an average $12,400 maintenance expense over a 10-year period. This is primarily a result of the pricey, high-end parts that these luxury vehicles require. Naturally, it will cost a lot of money to fix those pieces when they break or need maintenance.
However, while being premium vehicles, they also have ongoing problems. For instance, according to Your Mechanic, a BMW is four times more likely to not start than a typical automobile. It was ranked seventh overall as a result. Additionally, the window regulator on the BMW required replacement 18 times more frequently than the window regulator on the ordinary car.
Is maintaining a BMW affordable?
When calculating the total cost of ownership for BMWs, like with any other car, truck, or SUV, it’s critical to account for the expenses for routine maintenance. Examining the overall reliability rating of the vehicle can be one technique to assist you in determining the possibility of potential problems. A car is more likely to need maintenance and experience breakdowns if its score is lower. BMW is rated as the 30th most reliable car brand out of 32 by RepairPal, receiving a score of merely 2.5 out of 5.0.
BMW, nevertheless, was rated as the seventh most trustworthy automaker in the United States in 2020 by the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study. BMW was ranked higher than other high-end manufacturers including Cadillac, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, and Chrysler. With such contradicting scores, we advise researching the individual BMW model you now own or are considering buying to see what common maintenance and repair difficulties they may experience.
BMW is the most expensive brand to service in addition to these varying reliability ratings. In fact, throughout the course of ten years of ownership, BMW owners can anticipate spending $17,800 on average. Mercedes-Benz is the second most costly brand, costing over $4,900 more than BMW.
With Supreme for Highline Vehicles, you may discover comprehensive coverage for a number of BMW models as well as a number of other luxury automakers’ models, including Porsche, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Land Rover, and more. This inclusionary addition to our all-inclusive Supreme plan will assist in covering the expense of breakdowns and repairs for your luxury car, allowing you to save money and quickly get back on the road.
Which BMW requires the least amount of maintenance?
The 3 Series is often the least expensive BMW to maintain in the current lineup of the brand, and owners pay roughly $748 a year to do so. Some antique automobiles, like the BMW E28, are also inexpensive to maintain.
Which BMW is the most trustworthy?
- 8 2002 BMW 318i.
- 7 2008 BMW 750i.
- 6 2012 BMW Z4.
- 5 2016 BMW M4.
- 4 2005 BMW 325i.
- 3 2019 BMW F40.
- 2 2018 BMW i3.
- 1 2006 BMW E90 330i
Why are used BMWs so inexpensive?
The oversupply of BMWs on the used market is one factor contributing to their low price. Similar to other products, when there is a surplus and a decrease in demand, the price of the commodity falls. If you’ve ever looked at a new BMW, you’ll note that practically every model has excellent lease offers. But what takes place when those vehicles are rented, returned, and then traded in?
BMW lease returns are normally either sold at auction or offered for sale as certified pre-owned vehicles on dealer lots. Additionally, when dealer lots are overflowing with CPO vehicles, it lowers the cost of the vehicles not just for dealerships but also for individual sellers. And whether you’re a dealer or an individual selling a car on the street, you must price the vehicle you’re selling in accordance with the going rates in the market in order to maintain a competitive edge.
Which BMW has the fewest issues?
The 325i was the entry-level model when the E90 made its début in 2006. A 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine with 215 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque was installed in it. The E90 range was then revised in 2008, and the 325i was replaced with the 328i. It had a 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine that produced 200 lb-ft of torque and 230 horsepower. The 268-hp 330i, according to BimmerLife, is one of the most potent naturally-aspirated BMWs ever produced.